0
followers
follow

Scire

God of the driven

0 · 779 views · located in Astral Sea

a character in “Pantheon: Shattered World”, originally authored by lil_kreen, as played by RolePlayGateway

Description

[Name]
Scire

[God of]
The driven - He/she is the line between genius and madness. The fire that consumes or fuels them

[Elemental affinity]
Fire and Aether

[Alignment]
True Neutral

[Pictures]
Image

[Physical description of preferred forms]
Sicre never seems to remain in one form for terribly long he endlessly drifts away in one direction or another. A loss of a hat here. Gaining parts of a gender there. Losing an arm. While he's prone to facial hair at times he's never been seen with a head full of it. His clothing is similarly if not more eclectic.

[Preferred Gender]
Appears in either gender, both, or neither depending on who he's interacting with at the time. This however hardly informs any interest he has in them.

[Means of godhood]
Scire came to be out of thousands of minds in questionable integrity working toward as many or more goals with burning abandon. Some with structure though others not. His mind took form in the disused candles that tired minds think someone yet sits at in libraries where intelligent minds gather knowledge to work with. He resides in the rooms full of sketches and prototypes from an artisan with a muse burning him out but somehow holding on and talking to noone in particular.

[Personality]
At best difficult to follow at worst truly mad. Sicre in general is an affable sort not given to violence unless suitably perturbed. He is ever maintaining his eclectic realm of scraps of created goods and it swells his domain. Reddened places hidden therein behind closed doors reminds that there are a great deal of mad killers whispering in his ear from dark places. In both ways is he inventive improving what he comes across or driving those who might create it. Word of encouragement to those blocked in the pursuit of their creation or a new means of suffering for the mad to visit on another. Though he dabbles far less in the former by and large as mindless destruction displeases him. He looks fondly on dreamers and less so on others unwilling to entertain new concepts. Those actively stifling the spread of new ideas are likely to earn his enmity.

[Worshiped by]
Librarians, inspired students of knowledge that seem to get by on drink alone, madmen, creators in love with their work, sages seeking a moment of prescience among scattered tomes, hermits, serial killers of the highest degree

[Symbols]
"A tangle of mind" "There's secrets in the knots minds can find to unravel" A red wood rectangle with blue lines inside connecting yellow vellum scraps. It symbolizes the tangle a genius must shoulder or be trapped by.

[Divine weapon]
The Muse - An adamant gauntlet chained to a large tome endlessly shedding papers from the ramblings of the mad. Whether it causes insanity, a moment of genius, or existential suffering depends mostly on whom it strikes. Unless of course Scire is suitably motivated by an creation of interest whether feeling wrathful or not.

[Preferred blessing]

The endless teapot - A long night where the tea is always hot and one's candle never quite seems to run out. Scire can give inhuman persistence to those in deep pursuit of a creation or study. Even malnutrition will surrender in the light of Scire's endless candle. The light of the mind remains sharp despite the sleep denied until broken of their focus by another not motivated to their goal. While being broken of their focus won't kill them several consecutive days of effort hits like an iron boulder.

Organized chaos - "I know exactly where everything is!" They certainly do as Scire remembers for them. There's always that errant link but from these moments of forgetfulness often springs the new growth of ideas. Things must be forgot for creation to make new. But papers always seem to be where they thought they left it even if it wasn't so. A creator without their tools is hardly one at all.

[Preferred curse]
Tip of the burnt tongue - Your wife? You remember her name, don't you? She was that dog down the street. What was its name? Her hair was red. Was she an actua dog or just a little ugly? The poor sod will be never wholly sure of anything and half the things are whispered by Scire from the wells of broken men.

The clean marble - Scire knows a great many of those burnt by the tangle of genius and gone mad. Cross him too well and he'll tell them exactly where you are. For you are a perfect slate of blood on which they may practice their trade. A trail of haggard smiles will be writ straight to your door.

[Realm]
Scire's realm is an endless rats nest of inventions, shelves full of organized books, prototypes, and artistry. He's inclined to let madmen wander through his realm in their dreams to gather ideas. The candle-eyed are often found here whispering quietly to themselves at this or that. They always know which doors are safe for minds to enter but then genius occasionally dabbles in beautiful screams. In some places the candlelight grows dark between piles of things the doors further barred. Windows of those locked doors shade those sparkling hungry eyes that carry the genius of murder.

[Most notable creation]
Scire created the Warren, a link between madder places in the world, with a path of relative safety through the realm of dreams. Those with a key inspired from Scire's realm know the openings to which they go. Woe betides those that try to break from the Warren into the dreams of others they pass. They who breach the warren to another while unbidden fall forever unrecognized by either and unable to return.

[Preferred form of worship]
Scire enjoys things sealed into walls or unusual objects bearing his name. Once the last person who knew were the object was stored forgets it becomes property of Scire's realm. He often leaves minor things behind for whatever struck him as a fair trade at the time. Absent-minded librarians are known to gamble for interesting bits of knowledge by sealing useful journals or books behind walls.

So begins...

Scire's Story

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Hazarmaveth Character Portrait: Rimus Character Portrait: Xyr Character Portrait: Edna Wytrix Character Portrait: Shale (WIP) Character Portrait: Eden Character Portrait: Hundun Character Portrait: Scire

0.00 INK

Scirce getting anywhere on time was at best wishful thinking. He did eventually wander near where he needed to be though he might not be a he by the time he actually arrived. This was one of those cases as Scire's quiet rambling came closer to the meeting with a scrape of white chalk. Scirce's mumbling voice and chalk drew a web of thoughts from idle educated daydreams about the darkness, "Eating and feeding and lurking and changing and building and watching and wailing and drowning and burning and yearning and suffering. All at the right angles to shadow. Hee. Whole heaping buckets of darkness. Right in the corner with the tar and feathers walking on its own."

Her right breast pressed out matching her other in the yellow robes as Scirce's face turned less ambiguous to a homely female. She wandered into the room bright eyed to say at Eden, "The bucket's coming for us all. Tarred and feathered. Do you need holes and hiding things for pieces to go in? I have lots of keys. All the hiding holes."

Scirce wasn't one for pleasantries as individuals didn't stay in her head long enough. She smiled at Hazarmaveth, "I think they'll try to do it without us, you know. I hear all the ponderous pondering. There will be red blood or there will be black blood. Both will be beautiful."

Scirce produced a teapot from her robes and started refilling Hundun's teacup absently. The smell of the warm tea from some sage's ardent mixing was pleasant. Though the teacup somehow didn't overfill neither did the pouring stop. She just eyed the cup with a wide smile.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Hazarmaveth Character Portrait: Rimus Character Portrait: Edna Wytrix Character Portrait: Shale (WIP) Character Portrait: Eden Character Portrait: Hundun Character Portrait: Scire Character Portrait: Tir'Ish Na-Ahn

0.00 INK

#, as written by SunKrus
Tir'Ish Na-Ahn
_____________

Existence is a peculiar concept. Having become sentient before being formed, Tir'Ish Na-Ahn had the unique situation of becoming aware of the Creator exactly a moment before he was aware of Tir'Ish. Tir-Ish spawned due to leftover energies from both creation and destruction, and usually is in a mist form. Having little to do or create, Tir'Ish watched as the gods were born, worlds were restored, and mortals became prevalent.

Tir'Ish moved slowly through the Astral Sea. Going from stars to planets to abnormal phenomenons, all it cared to do was to watch and learn. It watched objectively as wars were fought, legends were forgotten, and elementals were spawned. Sadly, most elementals don't last more than a few minutes beyond creation. Slowly, over years, Tir'Ish learned how to keep them alive and would relay instructions via thoughts to these new creations. If followed, those instructions would allow the elemental to live and sustain itself in order to actually live. An air elemental couldn't figure it out in time, however, and was dissipating back into energies when Tir'Ish heard a sound being sent to the gods.

Most the gods were unaware of Tir'Ish. Only occasionally manifesting itself in a physical form, it preferred to stay distant. What point was there to interfere with Edna's garden or Creep's legion? It observed them occasionally, but didn't manifest itself other than helping to promote a sense of ordered energy. Directing sunlight, concentrating food sources such as sugars, and moving the wind were all small ways to help, but it never pushed itself to interfere. But now, when a meeting was called, Tir'Ish Na-Ahn decided to watch.

It showed up well beyond the beginning of the meeting. Staying far above the proceedings, and with the mist extremely transparent, Tir'Ish listened to learn what was purpose of the meeting. Though it didn't understand language, it did understand meaning. They could be speaking gibberish and Tir'Ish would comprehend what they were trying to say. With that, it was easy to pick up that the concern was about something they called Black Ichor. An interesting material, to say the least, as it gave organized energy the ability to become manifest as a sentient being. None have survived for more than a couple years as of yet, but it was a new type of challenge for Tir'Ish to learn about.

Curious, the god of energy remained to witness the proceedings, while not giving off enough of a signature to be detected by any but the most perceptive.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Hazarmaveth Character Portrait: Rimus Character Portrait: Edna Wytrix Character Portrait: Shale (WIP) Character Portrait: Eden Character Portrait: Hundun Character Portrait: Scire Character Portrait: Tir'Ish Na-Ahn

0.00 INK

Hazarmaveth nods at Edna's words. "There has been one begging to prove her worthiness, despite my attempts to say that my worthiness was in question, she would be all too eager to go on this venture," he says this slightly wearily, a slight reluctance gnawing at him. He had never asked a mortal of anything, not that he felt them unworthy but rather it felt somewhat manipulative. Was a mortal to feel inclined to deny a request from a god, especially in fear they will be smitten? Still, in some slight consolidation, it wasn't her who's arm was twisted in this matter, and that Hazarmaveth found amusing. "She is a rather spirited beastkin by the name of Rey, strong but also uncharacteristically introspective as well."

Soon another enters the council, Scire, the eccentric god of will. First greeting Eden with what could be defined as ramblings by most perturbing Eden naught. Ever since their conception they have not been known much as... excellent conversationalist to begin with, they simply were Eden, the groundskeepers without any deeper rhyme or reason. Eden simply bows respectfully to Scire as they pass.

Perhaps of greater impact was upon Hazarmaveth who interpreted more than may have even been there in words. He also found something poetic in Scire's form of speech, and he did like poetry. Part of it, perhaps, seemed Scire was speaking of Xyr and perhaps Creep, it wasn't unlike them to act independent of the council, for their own different reasons. The other of red blood and black blood seemed to revolve around the Black Ichor and Bashemath. He could assume by this, if not too presumptuous, that Scire was already aware in some sense of the flow of events. He sipped his tea, a peculiar sight if there ever was one, holding the cup to his throat rather than his face where no mouth was present anyways.

"Greetings and good day to you as well, Scire, a rather aromatic blend you have today," he responds politely with a tone implying a smile, admiring the aroma of the tea.

He pauses for a moment, a being of primordial energy, he too could recognize the presence of another who had entered, acting as an observer. He was aware to some extent as he was aware of his own brothers. How peculiar, but he respected their intent to remain unseen. Instead he simply put an effort to project some sense of greeting to them and proceed with the meeting as normal.

"Will there be others then," he inquired regarding the scouting party.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Hazarmaveth Character Portrait: Rimus Character Portrait: Edna Wytrix Character Portrait: Shale (WIP) Character Portrait: Eden Character Portrait: Hundun Character Portrait: Scire Character Portrait: Tir'Ish Na-Ahn

0.00 INK

"Hazarmaveth, why do you think your worthiness is in question? You give the dead a safe place to rest, you allow those souls that have lost their lives a peaceful afterlife. You have done some great things, so don't think hard on yourself. We all are worthy is our own special way." Enda spoke to Hazarmaveth despite the meeting, even though it was off topic she did not want a fellow deity questioning themselves.

Of course another deity soon stepped into the room, Scirce. Edna had nothing against the God of genius and madness, however his followers if driven by madness could cause a bit of ruckus now and then. She gave him a small smile and a wave as he entered the room.

Soon the topic went back to the scouting party. "Indeed, we currently have a scout pair and not a scout team. it would be nice to have more members on the team, less chance that any harm would come to them."

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Hazarmaveth Character Portrait: Rimus Character Portrait: Edna Wytrix Character Portrait: Shale (WIP) Character Portrait: Eden Character Portrait: Hundun Character Portrait: Scire Character Portrait: Tir'Ish Na-Ahn

0.00 INK

Questions came from everywhere in nature so Scire was rather fond of the Goddess of Life. However death and plague is the dutiful driver of change and new ideas. Each their role in the turgid web of creation provided by the fullness of Time. That cycle itself of particular interest to the few he tended to of late.

Sicre nodded her bald head at Hazarmaveth one milky eye lookt to him, "This tea is an effort from one little moth that toils away at a boiling black fringe. That is the problem I hear? I got another of these bags of tea in my pocket today. Moths don't come because you alone can give them the candle to orbit just that you know best where they are. Send the moths to flutter where they are fulfilled until they spark anew or burn away."

Fumbling around in her robes Sicre took out a small set of tethered glass plates to a chest pocket. Cloth bags with a human's wax pen scrawl on them came out next one at a time.

One rattling bag of small seeds she tossed to Edna costume makeup appearing on Scire's face, "Black lands come big questions for my little moth. One set of plants to suffer by ichor, plagues, and tinctures the other to not! Close enough to death but not to rot. Tea is made from the strongest lot of that generation which has not."

She hands the glass with a small sprouted seed scarred by ichor on its first leaves by not the second pair. The bag of tea follows, "He tinkers with tinctures and teas. This the first to show some green though dies just after it's seen. Some for his plants and some for me. The worst he has to burn; you should hear them scream!"

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Hazarmaveth Character Portrait: Rimus Character Portrait: Edna Wytrix Character Portrait: Shale (WIP) Character Portrait: Eden Character Portrait: Hundun Character Portrait: Scire Character Portrait: Tir'Ish Na-Ahn Character Portrait: Kana Na-Ahn

0.00 INK

#, as written by SunKrus
Tir'Ish Na-Ahn
______________________________
Tir'ish noted the intent of greeting from Hazarmaveth, and returned one in return. It was no surprise that he could sense Tir'Ish' presence. It was pretty difficult to hide from Hazarmaveth. Tir'Ish waited for a little longer, then felt satisfied that most of the valuable information has been obtained: There was a substance known as Black Ichor, it took life and then "evolved" it into a new type of creature, this seemed to be a concern, and a team was being assembled to scout out the issue. Simple enough.

Tir'Ish began to consider who would be able to scout out this Ichor. Remembering an Earth elemental residing in Hoffngard, Tir'Ish went off to see how she was doing. Kana Na-Ahn was one of Tir'Ish' "children", being an elemental that was able to sustain thanks to its help. She, Kana, had been searching for some purpose to exist, and perhaps this could be it. Tir'Ish left in the direction of Hoffngard, sending a departing greeting back to Hazarmaveth while hiding its intentions and destination.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Hazarmaveth Character Portrait: Rimus Character Portrait: Edna Wytrix Character Portrait: Shale (WIP) Character Portrait: Eden Character Portrait: Hundun Character Portrait: Scire

0.00 INK

"Thank you for your kind words, lady Edna, but it is hard to forget... or forgive... that my legacy is in these ruins, Shalom is compensation for the wrong that was dealt by my brother," he says softly in response to the Goddess of Life. He then stands up and looks about. "You are correct, about all having worth. You tend to the mortals and the world, a care for life, and you, Shale, despite brutal, bring balance so that life does not stifle itself out. Indirectly you also make them value life, bring people together through hardship. And to you, Hundun, constantly shifting, have great versatility to any situation, I can see this growing ever more important as times progress. and you Scire, truly unbiased, offer much illumination to many madmen, but many scholars as well, both of which play their roles in growth. You are possibly right in what you said, Shale, if it came to it, we may fare better if my brother were ever to return... or any similar. I just... hope it does not come to that."

With this he sits back down and drinks his tea. "I've had Rey sent to Hoffngard, she should be arriving there shortly, it is the closest city near the edge of Ertse'gart," he says, coming to his conclusion with this meeting. "Do what you will with what you've learned today, and keep vigilant should the situation change. And Hundun, I hope her grief, rage, or what be it does not choose to consume us. You are right, it is something... unpredictable to where or whom it will go. Perhaps even somewhat kin in a way. In any case, I've said what I intended, it is good to see most of you. If there is no further discussion or reports... I'll consider today's meeting has met its purpose."

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Hazarmaveth Character Portrait: Rimus Character Portrait: Xyr Character Portrait: Edna Wytrix Character Portrait: Shale (WIP) Character Portrait: Eden Character Portrait: Hundun Character Portrait: Scire

0.00 INK

Just as Hazarmaveth was about to finish the meeting, single black ravens feather floats down in the middle of the table. It flutters before touching the surface, and immediately a spectral echoing voice fills the halls. The voice would only be recognisable by one, Hazarmaveth. It was Abaranne's voice, taken out of his fears by Xyr who embodies all forms of fear and horror. Slowly as the speech continues it gradually changes into the voice of Bashemeth in all its anger.



"I do what I must out of love, I dip my hands into the ink of death and rekindle the sparks of life! I consume death and make life, I consume pain and make pleasure, I consume despair and create joy! I am the embodiment of the grand will, I am the new order, and if they shall come they shall come as witnesses to the future of Aettean!"

Xyr himself said and did nothing, his presence only being found in the feather left behind.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Hazarmaveth Character Portrait: Rimus Character Portrait: Xyr Character Portrait: Edna Wytrix Character Portrait: Shale (WIP) Character Portrait: Eden Character Portrait: Hundun Character Portrait: Scire

0.00 INK

Edna did not react quick enough to catch the seed packet that was thrown to her, however it did land neatly on her lap. As she took it in her hands she examined it, it was a packet of seeds. She was not sure what type of seeds they were but she would see what they grew into back home. "Thank you Sicre, I will be sure to tend to these seeds back home." Edna replied as she held it in her hands.

Soon Hazarmaveth encouraged a bit by her words made a speech about how they were all unique in their own ways. Each one of them actually working together for the mortals despite their huge differences. It made sense, and it was nice to see Hazarmaveth get a little bit of spirit back in him. Once his speech was over, he announced that he had sent Rey to Hoffngard, and Edna covered her mouth in surprise. Of course! She had to talk to Carissa about heading there. She quickly turned around in her chair and conjured an orb before speaking into it. "Oh dear, Carissa. This is Edna. I have something to ask of you, would you care to go on a scouting mission? You have to meet up at Hoffngard with the others...Of course you don't have to do such a thing on my behalf, it could be dangerous." The orb shined a bit before speaking back. "Don't worry, I will be safe. If its a scouting party with others then it sounds fun! Its always nice to get to know more people. And plus this sounds very important. I will do this! You can trust me!" The cheerful voice replied back.

With that quick call out of the way, Edna faced the others as things were wrapping up. But before the meeting ended the all too familiar black feathers of Xyr floated down in the center of the table. The voice of Bashemeth was soon heard and she seemed angry. Edna puffed her cheeks out a bit. "Did Xyr make her angry? How else would he know this. That God is always causing such a ruckus, if he was the one to meet her first then she must have a sour attitude on the rest of us. He might be making her angry on purpose just to see what happens. I say we fix this quickly before things get out of hand." Edna spoke as she was not exactly happy at hearing Xyr causing some chaos.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Hazarmaveth Character Portrait: Rimus Character Portrait: Xyr Character Portrait: Edna Wytrix Character Portrait: Shale (WIP) Character Portrait: Eden Character Portrait: Hundun Character Portrait: Scire

0.00 INK

Scire grinned at Edna as she put a driver of change in motion. Many of his studious little moths weren't quite so good at breaking off remnants of life for study. Different life that ate whatever they found as this case of this new creature proved worse. Then Xyr and the voice of ichor made its presence known. Scire had a distaste for the artless murderers the black tower brought into the world. Occasionally some could be taught and learn to bring creations of worth as Scire was never the headstrong sort.

Scire frowned, this ichor proved to be a thing of destruction and had to be contained. Stabilized. Especially if the moths thought it bore study an intent on spread of careless destruction of creating things boiled his blood. She wondered what the bag of stabilized tainted life would bring. While she didn't even know what they were originally the moth thought them quite industrious. Not to mention illuminating the test pots holding a feeble bane from the idle wandering of the smallest pests of these creatures. Perhaps they were literally glowing wouldn't irradiant plants be ever so interesting!

Scire huffed at the room her chest vanishing with her female voice, "I rather like the current strife of life and death but the new order does sounds interesting. What I dislike is this interest in destroying all the beauty that already exists for blood's own sake. How very coarse."

The corner of Scire's mouth raised with his bared teeth as an idea struck him. He eyed Hazarmaveth with a lilting voice, "I could never rest on one little moth for long. I can strike the stone that can help your little brushes at least."

A small block of marble produced with Scire's now male hand from voluminous pockets the other his gauntlet the chain extending from the pocket. The marble was different than the others some may have seen from time to time. It had Scire's own name on it instead of a mortal's. The namesake turned a red-tinted eye to Edna, "What was her name again? Carissa? My little moths won't like it when philistines try to ruin a canvas with my name on it. They might even help. I might too; I'll have to see what tools I can dig up."

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Hazarmaveth Character Portrait: Rimus Character Portrait: Xyr Character Portrait: Edna Wytrix Character Portrait: Shale (WIP) Character Portrait: Eden Character Portrait: Hundun Character Portrait: Scire

0.00 INK

Xyr had played his hand, and was gloating about it in his own way. He had contacted the black ichor first and disturbed her. It was not like it came to any surprise, though, Xyr loved to cause drama, what grinded with Hazarmaveth was the fact he was playing a field much bigger than a few mortals, not that he appreciated that either... many a soul has come by him that were brought to tragedy through Xyr's handiwork.

When the message spoke in Abaranne's voice at first he was admittedly shocked, more a tinge of hope lingered inside of him that he would hear her once more. It was clear though, that this was some form of trickery, a game on his mind. He would not be played for a fool, not like this.

"A very callous stage, Xyr," he says, a tinge of irritation bleeding forth. "Farthest from a good first impression... pray this bodes nothing ill for the others."

He was concerned, not only with the rate of growth by Bashemath, but also for the scouting party soon to venture forth into it. He fidgets with Quell.

"Join you say, Shale, but he just wants a lead actor in his next big tragedy," he says rather abruptly, his flame and eyes flared. His cloak-like body ruffles out and flows wildly. "I know not what experience has gnarled his sensibilities, but I can say for certain that he's one without loyalty, and everyone, perhaps even himself, are just players. That includes us."

With this he lowers his head and composes himself. It was no place to lose himself, Xyr acted slowly... usually. Peace was not off the table... just complicated slightly. Then Scire stepped in, offering her... well, now his help. He nods his head, it was of some comfort to gain support from the God of the Driven.

"Any support you can spare would be appreciated, as long as it is no burden," he says, returning to his calm and considerate demeanor. "Your name itself is a great boon to the cause."

"I just hope the actions taken place today bode nothing ill."

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Hazarmaveth Character Portrait: Rimus Character Portrait: Xyr Character Portrait: Edna Wytrix Character Portrait: Shale (WIP) Character Portrait: Eden Character Portrait: Hundun Character Portrait: Scire

0.00 INK

Scire might seem absent minded as well as occasionally mad but held onto knowledge like a steel trap. Silver eyes gleamed back to reply with serious tone, "They know to behave when I've my eye on something. Just don't be surprised if my moths circle closer to build shelter for your three devoted. Just be careful what they ask for."

Smiling he noted, "I might just know a moth to build it. Or the moths might offer. Once there's a pretty mark for them to circle your devoted can bargain upon my madder crows circling. If you need blood on the earth anyway."

A scar floating to surface of his cheek, "The earth's so often so thirsty it seems. I will see to it my crows don't gather a jar of eyes unless duly bidden!"

He begins scratching Carissa's name into the top of the marble block along with his own.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: [NPC] Bartender Character Portrait: Hazarmaveth Character Portrait: Xyr Character Portrait: Ai Character Portrait: Creep Character Portrait: Edna Wytrix Character Portrait: Bashemath Character Portrait: Shale (WIP) Character Portrait: Eden Character Portrait: Carissa Asheton Character Portrait: Hundun Character Portrait: Scire Character Portrait: Tir'Ish Na-Ahn Character Portrait: Kana Na-Ahn

0.00 INK


Goddess of Love, Lust, and Sexuality
Fairy Glade

Image

The Goddess of Love, lay back, watching her guests, indulged themselves her power. Some danced, most coupled up. Soft moans, and whimpers of euphoria floated about the room, along with incenses and and scented oils permated the air adding to her already potent power. She smiled softly, playing the hair of her avatar, Ashika, whole lay back against her chest, having already indulged with the Goddess herself was still reeling.

Ai, however, while a smile touched her lips, was elsewhere. She was supposed to have gone to the meeting with her Brother's and Sister's but was much too wrapped up in what she had been doing with the avatar, the thought of the meeting bored her. Ai did not like to be bored, in fact, she abhored it. She chuckled to herself causing Ashika -still breathless- to look up at her.

Ai merely shook her head and Ashkia lay back, losing her eyes, a pleasant satisfied smile on her face. Ai went back to her musing.
She was rarely ever alled upon for such matters, surely her brothers and sisters cared little for her. After all, she was what distracted most of the mortals from the things they wanted them to do. Some where driven until love was involved, or lust in most cases. Some where smart but love made them stupid, some where dark but love made them kind. Love had many gifts but it was much like a virus, she knew, and and distracting one at that.

This always caused Ai to keep from these meetings, she did not want to sit there and be loathed, and the fear of such a thing, kept her distance, which was strange for such a sociable being.
She felt bad though now that the lust she'd placed on herself warn of.

She should go. She knew she should go, and so she would.

She walked passed her resting avatar, pressed a gentle kiss to the woman's lips before making her departure, Ashika just sighed, too love drunk to move.


It didn't take long for Ai to arrive in to where they all gathered, and decided to hide her apprehension in the only way she knew how.
Grandly.

She stepped through the great doors, her arms up, her hips cocked, the belt at them and the matching silks that cascaded down and around her legs in the deep blues of a twilight night sky, teased the bounties beneath them.It would have been considered a skirt what she wore, had it not been for the splits that rose to the belt. She smiled.

"Brothers! Sisters! Do forgive my tardiness." She said, "But have no fear, Love is here." She said with a light flirty giggle. She cared little for the so called blood ties that forced her to call them siblings. She flirted with anyone.

She dropped her arms and approached, her hips swaying teasingly, her hair, dark this day to match the dark blue she was wearing, flowing behind her, wisping like a spider's web in a soft breeze, she found herself a seat atop a table, she crossed her legs, with the split the rose up the sides of her silks being so high, it was that motion that kept her modest...somewhat.

"What did I miss?" She asked, her tone sing song. "Tell me everything." She said as if this was idle gossip and not something important. It must have been if she had been invited.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Hazarmaveth Character Portrait: Rimus Character Portrait: Xyr Character Portrait: Ai Character Portrait: Creep Character Portrait: Edna Wytrix Character Portrait: Bashemath Character Portrait: Shale (WIP) Character Portrait: Eden Character Portrait: Hundun Character Portrait: Scire

0.00 INK

Scire smiled at Ai as she came in as what Scire was to the mind Ai was for the body so he considered her more his counterpart than the others there. Many of his moths were inspired by desire or created because of the link she made for ones the moths once lost. Loss often kept moths anchored as well as the living loves that tempered obsessiveness into utility. However Scire, whether him or herself at the time, looked at Ai's eyes when speaking to her being a creature appreciative more of the benefit desire brought to mediating creation. Scire tended to more... academic... pursuits of the flesh among his flock than the ones she held interest in. Though he had a soft spot for drawing beautiful things from time to time as did many of the artists working in his name.

Crimson colored eyes gleamed at Ai, "Hello, AI! Forgive me if I don't get your seat I'm carving at the moment! There's a fell fire burning down creation making smouldering ashes of everything it touches. Breaking all the things and people we tended to all these years out of blasted earth."

Scire frowned his eyes turning cold blue, "Now this ichor wants to tear out all the hard work and replace it with themselves. All the carefully hybridized flowers torn out to smother the world in basalt. It's wanton destruction with no love of anything but itself."

Grunting he added sourly while striking blood from the marble while ardently writing his name there, "Even my basest bloodied crows have a sense of decorum. They don't just lay waste."

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Hazarmaveth Character Portrait: Rimus Character Portrait: Xyr Character Portrait: Ai Character Portrait: Creep Character Portrait: Edna Wytrix Character Portrait: Bashemath Character Portrait: Shale (WIP) Character Portrait: Eden Character Portrait: Hundun Character Portrait: Scire

0.00 INK


Ai, Goddess of Love, Lust, and Sexuality
Fairy Glade

Image

Scrie, the more scholarly of her siblings greeted her first and with a smile. He, as he was today, appreciated her talents, he understood that she was necessary, if not important to the world of mortals and he thought her beautiful enough to draw.

SHe smiled at him, waving a few fingers as his scarlet eyes shimmered. Hello, AI! Forgive me if I don't get your seat I'm carving at the moment! There's a fell fire burning down creation making smouldering ashes of everything it touches. Breaking all the things and people we tended to all these years out of blasted earth." He said and she frowned. "Huh?" she said, cocking her head to the left in confusion. He knew many words, and not all of them she knew herself, but from what she could tell. Something was burning things, mortals?

"Burning?" She asked before he went on, his eyes turned a steely blue. "Now this ichor wants to tear out all the hard work and replace it with themselves. All the carefully hybridized flowers torn out to smother the world in basalt. It's wanton destruction with no love of anything but itself." He said and she rose a hand to her ample chest. "My." She breathed. No love? That was not good, not good at all. "Even my basest bloodied crows have a sense of decorum. They don't just lay waste." He said as he struck the marble he'd been working on, bleeding it. She sighed. "Well, What are we going to do, Scrie?" She asked. "Surely we can not allow such a thing to continue, What are the others saying?" She asked, knowing that she was a lover, not a fighter, and if it didn't love, there was nothing she could do. She could distract most anything. A raging beast would calm at her touch, a frustrated warrior would relax in her presence, even a madman could be distracted, but all of those things could love. this...Ichor, according to her brother, could not.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Hazarmaveth Character Portrait: Rimus Character Portrait: Xyr Character Portrait: Ai Character Portrait: Creep Character Portrait: Edna Wytrix Character Portrait: Bashemath Character Portrait: Shale (WIP) Character Portrait: Eden Character Portrait: Hundun Character Portrait: Scire

0.00 INK

The marble block turned with his hands showing channels on the other sides that flowed in and around each other the scars that left a circular pool of blood below it like melted wax. Scire smiled and cupped his hand above the block blowing on it. A whoomp of thumping red flame above it inhaled the pool of wax moving about the channels freely. The ticking adoration of madmen tapped to see their notice directed at a canvas marked as an interest of his own. Most would appreciate that Scire saw intrinsic value in her activities and the rest he would watch.

Sat back he grinned as the gauntlet's sharp finger turned to rounded mail. Unadorned candle enkindled behind him he rose to his feet to Ai with predatory eyes that saw uncertainty. At that movement yellow robe tightens to brown and gold shaded formalwear a muscled frame behind it one chainmail glove tethered into his pants pocket.

Scire reaches forward to stroke Ai's cheek with a chainmail thumb that inspired errant misplaced memories, "They have sent their little brushes to paint a better understanding of the threat. To burn or to learn? You can do what you have always done and how you have always created..."

He smiled pushing up his glasses with his other hand then pointing at her nose with it, "...find the worthy and give them something to fight for."

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Ai Character Portrait: Scire

0.00 INK


Ai, Goddess of Love, Lust, and Sexuality
Fairy Glade

Image

Ai watched, curiously as Scrie continued his work, manipulating marble and wax and morbidly, blood. She loved seeing others at the mercy their talents, however disturbing it may have been. It made her feel as less like a tool to her talents.

Sitting back, he shifted his form, his scholarly robes conforming to the muscular frame beneath them, draping into former wear, easily removable, she noted, minus the chain mail that formed around his hands, the only thing that remained was the glasses that sat on the bridge of his nose.

He reached up, cupping her cheek, a thumb dancing over her skin. She could only smile, amusement in her eyes. "They have sent their little brushes to paint a better understanding of the threat. To burn or to learn? You can do what you have always done and how you have always created..." He said, before removing his glasses and pointing with them to her nose. "...find the worthy and give them something to fight for."
Ai, who hadn't move from her perch atop the table, leaned up, a kiss away from him, dainty fingers curling around the glasses she had aimed at her face. She pushed them down gently. "And are you one of the worthy, Scrie?" She purred, a kittenish grin on her face. "Is that what this display is all about?" She said, as her fingers danced down the glasses and up his forearm. She invented flirtatious coyness,so she could see it when it was presented to her. What he said prior was not lost on her, but she was easily distracted when it came to the possibility of using her talents, it was as addicting to her as it was any mortal. They were sending scouts to find out what the Ichor is actually after and whether or not they should kill it or not....or even if they could. All of this was not a matter for the Goddess of Love, there would be nothing for her to do, if it couldn't be distracted by her talents.

"If you wanted to explore my talents, all you have to do is ask." She added, her mind getting back to the opportunity that seemed to be presenting itself, with a grin that would sent a mortal man to his knees.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Hazarmaveth Character Portrait: Rimus Character Portrait: Ai Character Portrait: Edna Wytrix Character Portrait: Shale (WIP) Character Portrait: Eden Character Portrait: Hundun Character Portrait: Scire

0.00 INK

Hazarmaveth simply stood quietly at this display by Ai, as promiscuous as it were. Many mortals find themselves moved, whisked within this flirtatious display, but he was not a mortal, nor ever was, and was certainly not one would call ideal physically as he currently was. He felt ever so slightly awkward in this, but with a brief respite from the flirtatious exchange he cleared his throat.

"Greetings, Ai, an extravagant of entrance as I should have come to expect," he says, trying to douse the atmosphere somewhat. "What Scire has stated is true in some regards, the Black Ichor, Bashemath, spreads, taking that which has died and breathing in new life, but is yet to actively destroy. The other fact is that she came from the tree of the first mother... a fact, I admit, that leaves me alone emotionally unreliable to act on this matter."

He turns away, looking out upon a balcony down upon Aettean, taking a moment to settle his mind from the war raging within. The last thing he desired was to lose himself.

"Perhaps with no love is not exactly true, this being was born in part from what Abaranne must have felt seeing her children dead and dying before her, a feeling I'm sure so few of us could even remotely relate to," with this he sighs and looks back. "I believe she believes everything she says, that she wants to create a protected world of nothing but life and pleasure, perhaps... perhaps instead she is like a child who witnessed something she loved destroyed, but at the same time felt every second of its final moments. Perhaps instead of lacking love, it is instead indiscriminate maniacal love that is fueled by trauma both physical and emotional."

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Hazarmaveth Character Portrait: Rimus Character Portrait: Ai Character Portrait: Edna Wytrix Character Portrait: Shale (WIP) Character Portrait: Eden Character Portrait: Hundun Character Portrait: Scire

0.00 INK


Ai, Goddess of Love, Lust, and Sexuality
Fairy Glade

Image

Ai looked over as Hazarmaveth cleared his throat, her kittenish grin never fading. He seemed to be a little embarrassed by what he'd been saying, and perhaps a little shy given his form. Ai, however, loved to love, no matter what the form so long as she could touch it. "Greetings, Ai, an extravagant of entrance as I should have come to expect," He said, and she giggled. He was trying to ease the sexual tension....he would learn that was just her present. Like his blue light, ever present. "Greetings, Hazarmaveth." She purred.

"What Scire has stated is true in some regards, the Black Ichor, Bashemath, spreads, taking that which has died and breathing in new life, but is yet to actively destroy. The other fact is that she came from the tree of the first mother... a fact, I admit, that leaves me alone emotionally unreliable to act on this matter."
He explained and Ai rose her brows. "She?" She sang. It it had a gender, then it was likely it had a personality, if it had a personality, it had intelligence, and if it had intelligence, it had desires, and desires were her specialty. She looked at Hazarmaveth and his sudden bashfulness in regards to emotion and she lifted herself from her seat atop the table, standing before Scrie, dancing a few fingers across his chest, she moved over to Hazarmaveth and smiled almost sadly, as he lost himself in his thoughts for a moment.

"Perhaps with no love is not exactly true, this being was born in part from what Abaranne must have felt seeing her children dead and dying before her, a feeling I'm sure so few of us could even remotely relate to," He said and for the first time, her flirtatious expression faded. She bore no children, but wanted to. She did not want demi-god children that she would have to love from a distance, she wanted a child, full God or Goddess that she could love up close. She already loved her imaginary children, she could only imagine what it would be like to lose real ones. Love like that was the strongest, and that could not be manipulated only strengthened.

"I believe she believes everything she says, that she wants to create a protected world of nothing but life and pleasure, perhaps... perhaps instead she is like a child who witnessed something she loved destroyed, but at the same time felt every second of its final moments. Perhaps instead of lacking love, it is instead indiscriminate maniacal love that is fueled by trauma both physical and emotional."

Ai looked at Hazarmaveth and sighed. "And what, Brother, do you believe I can do, as you know, with even the smallest amount of love, I can manipulate it, but if this is what is fueling this....ichor, then there is not much I can do." She said but then pursed her lips. "Unless, I can increase the love she has for the things being destroyed?" She offered but she didn't think there was much too that theory. Love was a fickle thing, as strong as it was.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Hazarmaveth Character Portrait: Rimus Character Portrait: Ai Character Portrait: Edna Wytrix Character Portrait: Shale (WIP) Character Portrait: Eden Character Portrait: Hundun Character Portrait: Scire

0.00 INK

As Edna was calming herself down from what Xyr was planning, another voice and figure entered the council room. As she looked at the new arrival it was Ai the Goddess of Lust, and Sexuality. Edna smiled at her and waved. "Welcome Ai, looking as beautiful as always. Glad you can join us." She greeted with a smile.

As the meeting still continued Edna began to get more nervous, she was really worried about Xyr's plot and Bashemath. She needed to find her and see if she can get friendly with her. She may not have been the type to push the advantage or get fired up, but when the lives of many people were in danger she could not wait idly. "I'm sorry, I can't wait any longer. I will be looking for Bashemath myself. I just can't sit around doing nothing, but I am sure we can fix this situation and return back to our peaceful lives. I wish we could stay longer and talk but lets ensure Xyr stops this mess before it gets out of hand. I will be sure to make a party once this gets solved so please do come by to my home if you have time. I will see you all soon." She smiled as she conjured an orb from thin air with the image of the mortal word then like that she vanished.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Hazarmaveth Character Portrait: Rimus Character Portrait: Ai Character Portrait: Shale (WIP) Character Portrait: Eden Character Portrait: Hundun Character Portrait: Scire

0.00 INK

As Hazarmaveth begins to respond to Ai he feels a sudden rush through the veins of creation itself, a bright surge of light through his flame. He holds up his hand to catch the attention of all present and looks out, catching the end of some event down below, somewhere on Aettean. It was something he had felt only once before.

"Something emerged from beyond the veil," he says, almost cryptically. "Not my brother, thankfully, but it still requires attention."

With this he holds out his hand and summons one of his Seekers from a short-lived rift within the ground connecting into Shalom. This one, humanoid and male in appearance, robed in black, stood before Hazarmaveth, looking up at him, staring with luminescent eyes light moon light behind a white mask.

"There was a disturbance near Hoffngard, in Ertse'gart, could you check to see what has occurred," he says to the figure, his tone making it out as a request and less an order. "I believe there may soon be a new induction."

An induction... he referred to of course the formal acceptance of a god. Without word the Seeker steps back for a moment, takes a quiet bown and, with a glow of runes across the being's body he transforms to resemble a large black bird and takes off at great speed from the balcony, diving down towards Aettean below.

"Well... eager is the youth, not even a 'hello'," he says, an attempt at humor. "Still, that anomaly just now was too immense to be ignored. While I doubt it has any connection to Bashemath and the Black Ichor it requires attention none the less. And... I'm sure Xyr will try to become involved in it as well."

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Hazarmaveth Character Portrait: Rimus Character Portrait: Ai Character Portrait: Shale (WIP) Character Portrait: Eden Character Portrait: Hundun Character Portrait: Scire

0.00 INK

Scire, momentarily distracted by flipping pages of his book replied to Ai after a fashion. He palmed his glasses raising an eyebrow at Ai and Hazarmaveth, "I'm merely a product of my environment and keep the worthy goaded to action. It seems there's a new product now, eh? I don't train the new blood I keep them going on their own path."

Recalling something that he thought wouldn't end well he laughs, "That does remind me not to be alone with someone like Ai for too long."

His expression muted, "Let alone Xyr. That would be less amusing for everyone involved. Anyway, things to do!"

Fingers uncoiled Scire rose a monacle to put into one eye and opened his book on a scored table that wafted dust like it had sat for some days there. It wasn't summoning as much as the warren followed Scire around his realm the organic chaos of art, creation, and literature nearly an animate thing in of itself. The God of the Driven hadn't the focus to maintain discrete servants like the others merely focusing his realm and power on his followers.

With his gauntlet Scire opened the hardbound metal book emblazoned with his symbol. Scraps of vellum and paper poured out of it like water onto the table a map of some city depicted on the book's pages. Scire rose his gauntleted hand pointing at the air above the table as a flood of papers fluttered out of the book and upward into the air. Faces and their scraps of attendant thoughts from Scire's mind as he looked for Hoffngard among the minds of his followers.

"Who is closest to this new event...", He mused as Scire's inattention to Raelenea faded him back to into the warrens.

The setting changes from raelenea to Ertse'gart

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Edna Wytrix Character Portrait: Bashemath Character Portrait: Scire Character Portrait: Azeal

0.00 INK

The warrens were Scire's way to get to wherever he aimed to go as there were always things interesting on the way. Pairs of little fluttering moths moved things around the clutter the dreaming flutters saw new patterns while dreaming with his realm. Every so often there were things he might need or divested himself of things he currently did not. Pockets emptied of bits and bobs he'd absently pocketed from tables in Raelenea he had a habit of pocketing writing implements while using them to write on walls. That chalk he'd first gone to the meeting with came from a bit of detritus accumulated onto the outside of the warrens connecting the meeting to his own realm. Tossed into the air Scire caught it with his free hand drawing a map to the disused portions of the warren with it onto a large vellum sheet. All of the twisted space was in Scire's head if he put his mind to it and the white chalk bled dark violet ink with a sharp edge the fine lines a bleeding thought absorbing into the vellum. If there was a newcomer god the newest portions of his Warren would build themselves slowly there by the hands of his moths. It was only prudent to share knowledge of the unknown it so involved. The map shifted and altered the paths of ink drawing inward the page moving about as if they breathed on their own. Scire's servants were humans, places, and things. Not these non learning presenting creatures at the meeting though he didn't mind them.

Some of the moths even came to watch as he worked on the desk little clouds of fluttering understanding. Sometimes they took dollops from drying ink to scratch out ramblings about things in the warren there. A madman's ramblings about swords and things. A painting sacrificed to protect it but not forgotten. The ashes of a faithful servant interred in the walls that now sat on a haggard table in the disused architecture of the fringe-warrens. Dusty and indistinct the fringe-warrens were the newest places of the minds of the driven struck by dust and incompleteness. What looked dry rot and crumble was time running in reverse for the ideas that had not yet grown old enough to exist strongly.

Scire petted the frilly comb-antennae as they denoted doors peeking into the fringe-warren their thread-feet and brushy listeners covered with purple ink. Moths from the fringe warren knew were new holes had been made. Where the newer ideas were taking shape even if they didn't know what went on in those places. Scire himself marked a ore chute lovingly etched from below in Scire's name by a miner that had spent his life underground. It was the closest place to where he was going.

The crowd of pairs of moths looked on after Scire started to roll the map some puffing out as humans woke. Darting between tables dense with apparatus and notes lit just enough to see Scire left through the warrens to get closer to Ertse'gart. Down a hatch here and across the chamber of bells through the traveler's endless hallway. The road along the warren exploded into artistry as he grew closer to the wilds. It inspired many for such things but it was the mechanical drill apparatus and utilitarian piles of sinks and tubes that let him know he'd arrived.

Some distance away Scire broke through a thin layer of dirt that had grown over a hatch with the thin Scree-bang of thick rusty metal. Book thrown through the hole like an anchor into the world Scire climbed up the ladder gauntleted hand now free. The bald fellow's green robes while ostensibly similar were far too garishly bright to not be noticed at distance among brown forest duff.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Edna Wytrix Character Portrait: Bashemath Character Portrait: Scire Character Portrait: Azeal

0.00 INK

Renwick was perhaps more surprised how they handled the presence of the black ichor infested creature before them now. What Azeal said, however seemed entirely the case, regardless of being a reanimated creature, it seemed to possess the same traits of the original Hanan beasts, and was taken by his presence. For all he could tell, it was the closest infected thing and was acting alone... perhaps he was overreacting. More pressing, he felt fit to correct at least one impression he gave earlier.

"I should clarify... Mother Abaranne is not dead, not exactly, but her state is not exactly living either," he says, scratching the side of his face nervously. "If it been so simple as death, as awful as that may sound, then Hazarmaveth could have perhaps done something with that, but instead she is... dormant, her body encased in a great tree and this state has persisted for... centuries. This Black Ichor that spreads through the forest came afterwards, oozing from that very tree which we first assumed was but a manifestation of her grief."

He waves his arm to the creature, particularly pointing out its face and the black tears.

"Hanan beasts died upon the great fall, but the Black Ichor has proven that it can... undo such things as death, in a sense," he continues. "The Black Ichor recently assumed a name as well, Bashemath, and had assumed a purpose to create some form of... deathless world. As it stands, she is identified as neither god nor mortal... I'm sorry that you awaken into such a strange time, friend, and things are far different than you may remember, but I admit... I am glad to meet another from my time. May I ask where it was that you lived, what you did?"

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Edna Wytrix Character Portrait: Bashemath Character Portrait: Scire Character Portrait: Azeal

0.00 INK

Both Edna and Renwick explained this Black Icor to him and it’s connection to the Hanan before him and how they were all extinct due to the events of the caused by Azriy’el. It saddened him to hear how the Hana and many more might have become extinct. "It appears that that creature seems to be born from the Black Ichor, however it seems that Azeal here does indeed possess some power. Maybe animals seem drawn to you because maybe you can connect with all animals...Its like me, except flowers and plants are attracted to me more than animals."

Azeal smiled, though it was clear he was not as happy as he was before, “I noticed, beautiful and gifted.” Azeal complemented. When she mentioned testing to see if he was a god or not he chuckled and shook his head, “Ok, I’ll humor you. I still think you're mistaken as I’m sure I’m just a mortal with...unique, abilities.” Azeal said. Seeing no hostility in the Hanan beast or fear, Azeal raised his hand and tried to give it a friendly pet when Renwick spoke, "I should clarify... Mother Abaranne is not dead, not exactly, but her state is not exactly living either," he says, scratching the side of his face nervously. Azeal’s head snapped up, “Really?” He asked. With that a spark of hope had been lit and spread rapidly as his body regained its color, though not as radiant as before but it was close. "If it been so simple as death, as awful as that may sound, then Hazarmaveth could have perhaps done something with that, but instead she is... dormant, her body encased in a great tree and this state has persisted for... centuries. This Black Ichor that spreads through the forest came afterwards, oozing from that very tree which we first assumed was but a manifestation of her grief." Those words brought back the full color within Azeal as his own hope had once again been restored. He let out a sigh of relief, “Thank the Essences,” Azeal said.

Renwick explained how the Black Icor worked, it’s connection to Mother Abaranne and the form it had take in the form of Bashemath. Azeal bowed his head in thought then raised it, “I may be not know this world very well but the Great Essences did bestow much insight into subjects most don’t know. I do have a theory I will explore. Though I would like to meet this Bashemath and see the tree Mother Abaranne lays dormant in.” Azeal said. His thoughts turned to this Bashemath, could she be connected to MOther Abaranne on a deeper level than they knew? “I'm sorry that you awaken into such a strange time, friend, and things are far different than you may remember, but I admit... I am glad to meet another from my time. May I ask where it was that you lived, what you did?" Renwick asked. Azeal looked up and thought back, “My memory is a bit distorted from being with the Great Essences for so long. But I feel like I lived somewhere near here.” He said looking around, “It’s much different than when I lived here but it feels like my old home is nearby.” Azeal said looking around as if looking for something, “As for what I used to do, I remember I was a cook. I had a few hobbies, but the only one I can remember was reading at the moment.” Azeal finally took a sip of the tea Edna gave him and nodded, “Good, very good tea Goddess Edna. By the way, how long has it been since these events you speak of happened? Being with the Great essences distorted my sense of time. How long have I been gone? Thirty years? Forty?” Azeal asked as he went to sip more tea.

cron